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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-28-2012 05:57 PM

Betta Maniac

Hahahahahaha!

11-28-2012 05:55 PM

somewhatshocked

And you have more money for shrimp now!

11-28-2012 05:52 PM

Betta Maniac

Yep. The wisdom of the forum continues ... I don't know why I was obsessed with a "clean slate" on the tank. Leaving the AS is just so much easier and smarter.

11-28-2012 05:49 PM

somewhatshocked

Since you already have it in a tank, it's likely also loaded down with lots of goodies your shrimp (and baby shrimp, eventually) will thrive on.

11-28-2012 05:45 PM

Betta Maniac

I can just leave the Aquasoil I have in there then. Makes life even easier. No need to pull out the million chain swords! I'll just rescape a bit and tidy up. THANKS!

11-28-2012 05:11 PM

somewhatshocked

I like Fluval Shrimp Stratum because it's cheap and available all over the place. But if I had to pick a substrate for TBs, it would be Aquasoil.

Aside from buffering capacity (I'm not a fan of a pH of 7 for TBs but stability is more important than anything, regardless of parameters), Aquasoil gives you more flexibility for plants. Much easier to keep low maintenance plants healthy in AS than it is in other, less nutrient-packed substrates and you don't have to worry about root tabs for a long time.

11-28-2012 03:59 PM

Betta Maniac

I'm aiming for pH 7, as that's what Speedie keeps/breeds his at and I want to try and match my tank as closely to his and his breeder’s as possible. If I use ADA AS, my pH plunges to like 5 and I have to use coral to bring it back up, and it's never "steady". Total PITA. Hence my decision to try the FSS, which many people, including Somewhatshocked, have had good results with. The tank I’m putting them in HAS 1 year old ADA AS in it now, so I could just leave that, rescape for the BKK, and not even bother with the FSS. Decisions, decisions…

My Amazonia brings my pH down under 6. I heard that the new Amazonia buffers around the same as Africana/ Malaya too? Anyway, a lot of people have had success with Amazonia but there are mixed reviews on FSS.

11-28-2012 01:10 AM

sayurasem

Aquasoil is a must for keeping Taiwan bee. In fact Aquasoil is cheaper than Fluval Stratum.

9l Aquasoil $30 (AFA) = 22lb of substrate. Where 8.8lb FSS is $20.

I use Nutrafin ciclid as well and it has been nothing but great consistency on TDS level for the past 3 months.